Diesel Ranger

[parris001]

So I learned from a friend that these early Ranger/Mazda B trucks came with a diesel engine as an option. 2300cc from what I've heard, later a bigger turbo engine.

I have access to Kubota/Kiota engines of the same displacement and power output, well, pretty close. I think what the Kubota lacks in hp it'll make up for in shear grunt. And weighing in at 425 lbs I imagine it's a little heavier.

My question is, what did these little trucks use for a rear end? Were they geared they same as their gas burning brothers? I can see building a little 4 cylinder Ranger, maybe on even a later model chassis. I just wonder what would make for a good junkyard final drive ratio that would give me some highway speed.

 

[RangerX]

From what I can find, the 7.5 axle was the only axle available in the years that a diesel was an option, and the standard ratios were from 3.45 up to 4.10.
The Ranger diesel had HP and torque numbers pretty on par with the regular 4 cyl engine, so seems like they just went with the standard drivetrain.
I would go with an 8.8 just because, and run 4.10 or higher depending on your tire size.

 

[parris001]

Yeah, but standard torque and hp numbers tied to an engine that tops out at around 2100 rpms makes for a vehicle that won't be very freeway friendly.

Hmmmmm......... maybe a steep overdrive transmission?

 

[Red FX4]

I think with a diesel, you would want to run taller gears. A diesel typically has more torque and can handle the taller gears compared to a similar displacement gasoline engine. You are right, diesels normally don't rev very high and 4.10 gears would be pretty slow unless you run some tall tires (probably 33" minimum).